16 Postcards
Nestled in the Miami Design District, Itamae serves exquisite Nikkei cuisine, dazzling with fresh ceviches and innovative sushi in a stylish courtyard setting.
"Pan Con Tomate The pan con tomate is proof that some of the most delicious things in life are also the simplest. And while Aita’s version is a little less simple than the ones I’ve tried thanks to the addition of mussels, peppers, and little dollops of a fantastic aioli situation - it’s also probably the best I’ve ever had. Aita is a new vendor in MIA market, a Design District food hall, that identifies as a “somewhat Spanish snack bar.” This place is really worth a trip if you’re looking for lunch in the area, not only for the pan con tomate, but also for the shrimp skewers, the patatas bravas, and just about everything else on their great menu." - ryan pfeffer, carlos c olaechea
"Popular Miami Design District Nikkei restaurant, Itamae, has announced it will end its current a la carte service on August 27 and move into a new location in Midtown Miami under a (slightly) new name and new concept: Itamae Ao. The new restaurant, housed next door to its sister restaurant Maty’s, will offer a more intimate omakase experience accommodating only 12 guests at a time." - Olee Fowler
"Valerie and Nando Chang, the first brother-sister duo named James Beard Award Rising Star Chef of the Year semifinalists, have joined forces with their father, Fernando “Papa” Chang, to bring Nikkei-inspired cuisine to life. Nestled within a 4,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor establishment, their restaurant boasts an impressive menu of Japanese-Peruvian fusion dishes. Don’t miss the standout tiraditos or the inventive ceviches such as La Punta, featuring tuna, salsa verde, tostones, and leche de tigre blanca. The sushi bar specials and banadito rolls, a tiradito and sushi roll mash-up, are also not to be missed." - Juliana Accioly
"Itamae, run by sibling chef duo Nando and Valerie Chang alongside their father, Fernando, offers a menu inspired by Japanese-influenced Peruvian cuisine with mostly raw seafood options." - ByMariette Williams
"Itamae has technically outgrown our definition of new, since it’s been around for over a year now. But the Design District Nikkei restaurant opened right at the end of 2020—the only year we didn’t do one of these lists—and what a shame it’d be if this place didn’t get the recognition it deserves. Every meal at Itamae feels like walking into a surprise birthday party. You never know quite what you’ll find on the constantly-changing menu. But there’s almost always a plate or two that’ll earn a spot in your own personal “Best Things I’ve Ever Eaten” list. Our own list includes multiple Itamae entries, including their flawless ceviche, tiradito, and the yuzu cremolada, which just might be our favorite dessert in the universe." - ryan pfeffer
